Soarin' over California

Condor Flats
Golden State
Disney's California Adventure

INTRODUCTION

Located
in the Condor Flats area of Disney's California Adventure, Soarin'
Over California takes you on a simulated hang glider ride over some
of California's most beautiful scenery. Set to a "Soarin'"
soundtrack, the experience incorporates the sights, sounds, and even
scents of magnificent areas like Monterey Bay, Napa Valley, Yosemite
and Disneyland.

ATTRACTION

Soarin'
Over California is located in the Condor Flats area, which pays
tribute to California's history in the aviation industry. The queue
extends both outside and inside the building. Once inside the building
there are pictures devoted to aviation history -- both the pilots and
the aircraft. There are two theaters, and at the bottom of the ramp
the queue splits and goes left or right, but both sides feature an identical
experience.

At the
loading area, Cast Members will direct you to one of three boarding
area sections - inside the theater these correspond to the left, center,
or right seating areas. In the boarding area there are three rows: two rows of
ten and one row of nine,
corresponding to the seating area inside the theater.

The
Pre-Show features Patrick Warburton (Kronk in The Emperor's
New Groove) as the flight attendant giving you the safety spiel. He
manages to be serious but entertaining at the same time.

Once inside
the theater, place all bags and loose articles in the mesh bag under
your seat. If you're wearing flip flops or "slide"-type shoes,
put them in the bag or just leave them on the floor under your seat
- your legs will be dangling and they could easily come off during your
flight.

Each row
of seats is sort of like a wide ski lift chair that seats 9 or 10. It's higher
than a standard theater seat so shorter people may have to hop up a
little bit to get seated. You'll be required to fasten your seat belt.
For kids, there's an additional loop that the seat belt goes through
for some extra security. There are handles on each side of the seat,
but NO bar in front of you. The seat is tilted slightly back so it's
very hard to fall forward.

The lights
dim and suddenly you rise into the air (about 40' for those in the top
row, about 10 feet for those on the bottom) and find yourself "flying"
through clouds that have appeared on the huge IMAX screen in front of
you. Feel the wind in your face as you break through the clouds and fly
over the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, then practically
dip your toes into Redwood Creek in northern California. Soaring
with balloons over Napa Valley is followed by a look at the magnificent
California coastline of Monterey Bay. A winter scene takes you
flying over skiers at Lake Tahoe (watch for the skier who misses
on the jump) and you can smell the fresh pine. Then suddenly it's spring
as you glide towards Yosemite Falls, and turn toward Half Dome.
Moving to the southern part of the state you'll see and smell some of
California's orange groves before flying over one of Palm Springs'
golf courses -- FORE! It's like a scene from High Chaparral as you fly
over horsemen in the rocky Anza-Borrego desert -- until you hear
the unmistakable roar of the Thunderbirds in a fly-by. Next, glide over
an aircraft carrier while enjoying the San Diego city skyline.
It's late afternoon when you watch the Malibu surfers before taking
a fast flight over the crowded L.A. freeways on your way to...
Disneyland! Your journey ends as you fly over the nighttime parade
on Main Street just as the fireworks begin over Sleeping Beauty Castle,
and gently descend back to the ground.

TOURING TIPS

Soarin'
Over California is a Fastpass attraction. It opens when the gates
to the park are open (e.g. 1/2 hour before official park opening), and
that's a great time to ride using the standby line. Plan to exerience
this attraction early in the day since the standby line is usually quite
long, and all Fastpasses for this attraction are often distributed long
before the end of the day.

There is
a Single Rider line - see the Cast Member at the Fastpass Return
and tell them you are a single rider.

There is
a height requirement of 40 inches for this attraction.

This is
NOT a roller coaster or fast-moving ride, but
those prone to motion sickness, back
and neck problems or other medical conditions, and those with a fear of
heights should consider the advisability of riding.

If you
decide you don't wish to ride, just alert the Cast Member at the boarding
area, and you will be directed to the exit.

The ride
is about 4:51 minutes long.

The front
row of any of the boarding areas will put you in the highest row of
the ride vehicle, where you won't be able to see feet dangling above
you.

Restrooms
are located behind and to your left as you stand facing the "Soarin'"
building.

Wheelchairs
and ECVs enter the attraction through the regular queue then transfer
to the ride seat.

The video
portion of the preshow is close-captioned.

KIDS AND CHARACTERS

Other than
a very brief period of darkness at the beginning, this ride seems to
be a fun experience for young and old.

"Smaller
aviators" who don't measure up to the height indicator on the
seat are required to pass their seat belt through a loop between their
legs when fastening it to provide additional security.

"Aviatrix Minnie" can often be found greeting guests
beside the airplane on the far left-hand side of the attraction building.